This vegetarian chili recipe is hearty, smoky, and full of good-for-you substances. A fast, straightforward recipe that’s cozy and all the time a crowd favourite!

This straightforward vegetarian chili is a favourite I’ve been making for years now. It’s a type of recipes that family and friends particularly request: “Are you able to make that chili once more?” Most individuals who strive it don’t even notice there’s no meat till I inform them. It’s that satisfying and hearty!
As a cookbook writer who makes a speciality of vegetarian and vegan recipes, I’ve made my share of sub-par meatless chili recipes. Lastly, I come across my favourite system! This chili has hearth roasted tomatoes for smokiness, two kinds of beans, quinoa, and some secret substances that create a savory depth that feels satisfying regardless that it’s completely plant-based.
Why I Love This Chili
This vegetarian chili recipe checks each field for what I would like in a simple dinner:
- It’s genuinely hearty. Black beans and kidney beans mixed with quinoa make this veggie chili substantial sufficient that nobody misses the meat.
- It comes collectively quick. Whole time from begin to end is round half-hour: good for busy weeknight dinners while you want one thing on the desk rapidly.
- It’s versatile. This recipe is vegetarian, but it surely’s additionally vegan (with vegan butter) and gluten free.
- Everybody genuinely loves it. From choosy youngsters to meat lovers, this chili wins individuals over. I’ve served it numerous instances and the pot all the time comes again empty. (I’ve particularly fond reminiscences of my youngsters and their mates having fun with it!)
5-Star Reader Evaluate




”This chili was scrumptious and thick! I made a double batch for household dinner, paired together with your Greek yogurt cornbread muffins! So good!” -Julie C.
Substances You’ll Want
An incredible vegetarian chili goes past bean soup. It’s arduous to duplicate the heartiness of that signature taste with out utilizing meat (belief me, as a vegetarian and vegan recipe author, I’ve had plenty of expertise making an attempt!).
My recipe makes use of a mixture of “secret” substances to deliver a savory, salty umami. My unique inspiration was open-fire cooking: Alex and I first made it over a fireplace in our yard! Right here’s what you’ll want:
- Onion and garlic: These add the foundational taste.
- Olive oil and butter: I’ve discovered utilizing each olive oil and just a little butter provides simply the correct quantity of richness that you simply want since there’s no meat. Be at liberty to make use of vegan butter or refined coconut oil as a dairy-free substitute.
- Quinoa: In a vegetarian chili, quinoa is a pleasant substitute for the feel of meat.
- Beans and corn: I like to make use of a mixture of black beans and kidney beans. Corn provides pops of sweetness.
- Canned hearth roasted tomatoes: One of these canned tomatoes has a naturally candy taste that’s important.
- Ketchup, mustard, and Worcestershire sauce: These are a number of the “secret” substances that add taste. I’ve tried it with out ketchup but it surely actually is the important thing. It’s also possible to vegan Worcestershire for preserve it totally vegan.
- Chili powder, oregano, garlic powder, cumin, smoked paprika: Stirring in smoked paprika on the finish provides an irresistible smokiness: it’s my secret weapon for plant-based dishes,

It’s All within the Tomatoes
You may make this vegetarian chili recipe with any kind of canned tomato, however the best choice is hearth roasted tomatoes. One of these tomato is roasted over an open flame, which infuses a candy and smoky taste to the tomatoes. They style higher than normal canned tomato, which might style flat and bitter.
Can’t discover hearth roasted tomatoes? San Marzano tomatoes can work in a pinch: this Italian kind of tomato has a sweeter taste proper out of the can too. Or, merely use the most effective canned tomatoes you could find.
Ideas for Making the Greatest Vegetarian Chili
This stovetop model takes half-hour complete, however you too can make it in a sluggish cooker (see FAQs) or On the spot Pot (see my On the spot Pot vegetarian chili). Right here’s the best way to get the most effective outcomes each time:
- Use all of the substances listed within the recipe! I do know it sounds foolish, however every ingredient is actually optimized for taste. The hearth roasted tomatoes, butter, Worcestershire, and ketchup are particularly necessary.
- Add smoked paprika on the finish. That is essential! Smoked paprika can lose its energy when cooked too lengthy, so stirring it in on the finish provides a deep smoky taste.
- Modify the consistency. In case your chili appears too thick, add water or vegetable broth just a little at a time. If it’s too skinny, let it simmer uncovered for a couple of additional minutes.
- Style and regulate. Earlier than serving, style and add extra kosher salt if wanted. The salt is what makes all the opposite flavors pop.

Toppings & Add-Ins
Among the best elements of a vegetarian chili recipe is loading it up with toppings! When you’ve whipped up an enormous, steaming pot on the stovetop, assemble your toppings of alternative. Listed here are a couple of of our favourite choices:
- Shredded cheese: Attempt cheddar, Mexican mix or Monterrey Jack.
- Bitter cream: It’s required, in my view! For vegan, use Cashew Cream or Vegan Queso.
- Inexperienced onion: Onion provides simply the suitable savory aptitude.
- Cilantro: Contemporary cilantro provides an herby nuance.
- Scorching sauce: Attempt a Mexican scorching sauce like Cholula.
- Crushed tortilla chips or roasted pepitas: Add a salty crunch.
- Candy potatoes: If you happen to’d like, you possibly can add diced candy potatoes to the combo for an additional texture (just like my Pumpkin Chili).
- Pickled onions or peppers: Add pickled purple onions or pickled jalapeños for a add shiny coloration and tangy taste to chili.
- Spicy substances: The bottom recipe is delicate. For extra warmth, add cayenne pepper, diced jalapeño peppers (with seeds), or a small quantity of chipotle powder to style.
Favourite Pairings
Flip this vegetarian chili recipe right into a meal by including a couple of easy aspect dishes! Cornbread is an apparent pair with this hearty stew, however there are many different choices and concepts. Listed here are some sides to serve with chili:
- Add basic skillet cornbread or cornbread muffins
- I really like this Mexican cornbread with jalapeños or my favourite vegan cornbread
- Add a inexperienced salad like Mexican chopped salad or kale Caesar salad
- Pair this chili with fries or candy potato fries
- Serve it over a baked potato or baked candy potato

Make-Forward & Storage
This vegetarian chili works nice as a make forward recipe for meal prep. Nevertheless, needless to say the chili turns into very thick when refrigerated, so reheat on the stovetop and stir in just a little additional water, then style and add further salt if vital till the flavour pops.
Leftovers retailer for as much as 3 days refrigerated. Additionally they freeze nicely: place in a freezer-safe container and freeze for as much as 3 months.
Dietary notes
This vegetarian chili recipe is vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Continuously requested questions
For a sluggish cooker vegetarian chili, add all substances besides the smoked paprika to your crockpot. Cook dinner on low for six to eight hours or on excessive for 3 to 4 hours. Stir within the smoked paprika over the past quarter-hour of cooking. Chances are you’ll want so as to add additional water or vegetable broth since sluggish cooking tends to thicken the chili much more. Take into account, I’ve not examined this variation!
Sure! Whereas this stovetop model is fast sufficient that strain cooking isn’t vital, you possibly can adapt it. See my On the spot Pot vegetarian chili recipe.
This recipe is already fairly thick because of the quinoa and beans. If you would like it even thicker: (1) Use 3 cans of beans complete as an alternative of two, (2) Let it simmer longer uncovered to scale back extra liquid, (3) Mash a couple of spoonfuls of the beans towards the aspect of the pot to create a thicker base, or (4) Add cooked lentils for additional physique and protein.
Vegetarian Chili Recipe
This vegetarian chili recipe is the most effective: loaded with hearty taste and good-for-you substances! Even higher, it’s fast and simple.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook dinner Time: 25 minutes
- Whole Time: half-hour
- Yield: 6
- Class: Fundamental dish
- Technique: Stovetop
- Delicacies: Chili
- Weight loss program: Vegetarian
Substances
- 1 medium yellow onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ⅓ cup dry quinoa
- 1 cup water
- 1 (or 2) 15-ounce can black beans, drained*
- 1 15-ounce can kidney beans, drained
- 2 28-ounce cans diced hearth roasted tomatoes**
- 4 tablespoons salted butter (or vegan butter)
- 1 15-ounce can corn (or 1 ½ cups frozen corn), drained
- 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
- 1 tablespoon vegan Worcestershire sauce (or omit)
- ½ cup ketchup
- 2 tablespoons every chili powder and dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon every garlic powder and cumin
- 1 ½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
Directions
- Cube the onion. Mince the garlic.
- In a big pot or Dutch oven***, warmth the olive oil over medium warmth. Add the onions and garlic and sauté for five to 7 minutes, till tender.
- Add all different substances aside from the smoked paprika. Simmer for 25 minutes, then stir within the smoked paprika. Serve instantly with toppings of your alternative. Retailer leftovers refrigerated for as much as 3 days, or frozen for 3 months. Leftovers grow to be very thick when refrigerated, so reheat on the stovetop and stir in just a little additional water, then style and add further salt if vital till the flavour pops.
Notes
*Make this recipe with a complete of three 15-ounce cans of beans for an much more filling meal.
**Fireplace roasted tomatoes are key for the flavour right here. If you happen to can’t discover them, use San Marzano tomatoes or highest quality canned tomatoes.
***This recipe is simple to cook dinner over an open hearth. If you happen to’re taking it tenting, prep the minced onion and garlic and place in a sealed container. Place the substances from water by way of kosher salt in one other massive sealed container, however preserve out the dry quinoa and add it when cooking.
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